-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Do n't tell Brad Pitt who or how to love .

Brad Pitt talks about `` soul mate '' Angelina Jolie , life , and fatherhood in Parade magazine .

The actor and star of the new film `` Inglourious Basterds '' opened up to Parade magazine about his thoughts on love , marriage and fatherhood .

During the candid interview , Pitt showed off a secret area in one of his homes which he said `` is a great place for sex '' and reflected on his early days in Hollywood , which included superstardom and some marijuana .

`` I liked to smoke a bit of grass at the time , and I became very sheltered , '' Pitt told Parade . `` Then I got bored . I was turning into a damn doughnut , really . ''

These days , Pitt said he 's happy with his decision to become a parent with partner Angelina Jolie . The two have six children , all younger than 10 : Maddox , Pax , Zahara , Shiloh and twins Vivienne Marcheline and Knox , the latter born last year .

`` This family is full of life , '' Pitt said . `` There are laughs , aggravations , irritations , but at the end of the day , it 's fun . When life is really good , it 's messy . ''

Pitt said his life is very different now that he is a dad .

`` When I go down a path , I take it to the end , '' he said . `` Then I take another one . I took the path of not having kids , now it 's time for family . Children are a dominant value in my life now , and they were n't before . ''

He 's found a `` soul mate '' in Jolie , Pitt said , but he insisted he meant what he has said in the past about not marrying her .

`` When someone asked me why Angie and I do n't get married , I replied , ` Maybe we 'll get married when it 's legal for everyone else , ' '' he said . `` I stand by that , although I took a lot of flak for saying it , hate mail from religious groups . I believe everyone should have the same rights . ''

Pitt told Parade he takes exception to anyone trying to dictate how someone should live and who they should love .

`` Just the other night , I heard this TV reverend say that Angie and I were setting a bad example because we were living out of wedlock , and people should not be duped by us , '' Pitt told the magazine . `` It made me laugh .

`` What damn right does anyone have to tell someone else how to live if they 're not hurting anyone ? How many times do you think real love comes to someone in a lifetime ? If you 're lucky , maybe two or three . ''

People should be able to be happy , Pitt said , and that includes his children .

`` Would it bother me if a child of mine turns out to be gay ? No , not one bit , '' he said . `` Listen , I want my kids to live the lives they want to live . I want them to be fulfilled . I hope I teach my kids to be who they really are . ''

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Brad Pitt gave a candid interview to Parade magazine

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Says he stands by not marrying Angelina Jolie until it 's `` legal for everyone else ''

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Actor says he loves being a father to six children